Only You Can Prevent Wildfires… Reduce Homelessness In The Hills

Looks like the L.A. County Sheriff is seeking a homeless man they think might have started the recent Station Fire, the largest fire in L.A. history. A fire that resulted in the death of two fire fighters. U.S. Forest Service officials were trying to stop a homeless man who had set a small fire days before the large fire was started.

I’ve been writing on this blog for years on the relationship between homelessness in the hills and wildfires. In August 2005, I wrote about a fire in Hollywood Hills that was accidentally started by a homeless man cooking a meal in the rough.

I’ve also shared how the L.A. County Fire Department has sent up PATH outreach workers in helicopters to locate homeless encampments in the hills in hopes that outreach teams on the ground can reach them. This prevention tactic has been successful.

Funding more homeless outreach efforts in the hills above Los Angeles would certainly be a prudent investment in fire prevention.

(Pic from www.ilovedogs.com)